Did you know that individuals age 70 ½ can make a tax-free gift of up to $100,000 from their IRA to Community Foundation of the Lowcountry – in support of an existing fund or to establish a fund to support their favorite charitable cause(s)? And that means, of course, that a married couple could possibly claim up to $200,000 tax-free!

Recently we had an orientation for new members of the board of directors at the Community Foundation. We were talking about various fund types and options for donors, and it was suggested that we give our standard “sales pitch” to them so they could use it with others.

This year as Labor Day is upon us, I’ve been thinking of my father and the lessons of his pastime. The workforce we celebrate at this time of year provides for the strength, prosperity and well-being of our economy – locally, regionally and nationally.

On Father’s Day, I stopped for an early breakfast at an area restaurant—a treat to myself before heading back to the office for the day. I had worked all day Saturday, and Sunday would be no different—deadlines loomed. I sat at the communal table; I love visiting with people when given the chance. A coffee pot and water carafe were provided, and my order taken. It wasn’t long before a couple of ladies sat across from me, and I shared my coffee and water, knowing that more would arrive for them shortly. They noticed the Community Foundation logo on my golf shirt (I expected no visitors at the office on a holiday), and started quizzing me about the organization, what we did, who we fund, and so on. I’m afraid my excitement in talking about the work shows, and it was a lovely exchange!

Here at Community Foundation of the Lowcountry, we are community-builders. Our mission is “strengthening community by connecting people, resources and needs.” The focus, as you would expect from a community foundation, the “community’s foundation,” is on community.

For over a year, the Town of Hilton Head Island has embarked upon a Visioning Process. The purpose of this process was to engage the community to provide an “open, inclusive and transparent platform for community members to help create a shared vision and action plan.”

One philanthropic trend in the past 15 to 20 years is that of collective giving. Groups of individuals, generally with a commonality—gender and gender identity, race, religion, or specific charitable interest—make individual contributions so that collective charitable grants can be made. This is often thought of as “democratizing philanthropy.” People of modest means and backgrounds can participate financially in benevolence in a way they may not have otherwise thought possible.

National Volunteer Week is celebrated this year from April 15 through April 22. It was established in 1974 and the celebration is currently organized by Points of Light, “the world’s largest organization dedicated to volunteer service.” Each year the impact of the celebration grows, as thousands of projects and events utilizing and acclaiming volunteers take place at this time.

Most taxpayers will be impacted by the passage into law of the Tax Cut and Jobs Act. Nonprofit organizations, and the people who support us, are still trying to understand the ramifications.

Every time you “suffer” an inconvenience, count your blessings and share more of what you have with those for whom such inconveniences are a way of life.